Thomas Rigmaiden's Diary Calcasieu Parish Louisiana 1839 File prepared by Jan Craven File submitted by Carlton R. Adamson, Stuart MacKillican, William Quick and Clyde Vincent. NOTE: If any one can add information regarding persons spoken of in this diary, please contact Jan Craven at jcraven@usunwired.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ THOMAS RIGMAIDEN DIARY 1836-1858 JANUARY 1839 * 1. Cloudy. I spent this day at home. Mr. Alexander LeDoux came here. Let him have 2 of the spotted sow's pigs and a turkey. Sent Jack to Jackson Black. 2. Drizzling most of the day. Mr. LeDoux returned home. 3.At home all day in consequence of bad weather. 4. Cloudy with some rain. * 5. Working at the school house. Pierre and Alcendore here with their families. Pierre stopped all night. * 6. Pascal arrived with sugar and molasses. Found my black sow with 7 pigs. Let Isaac have one that got away from me. * 7. Went to Shoepeak and brought Joe LeDoux's trunk and bed. Warren Johnson came to board. Got 10 barrels of corn from Alcendore. * 8. Fine warm day. Working at the school house. Melia started to Opelousas. 9. Finished the school house at last. Isaac working with me. 10. Cut and hauled some wood. 11. Still warm. Killed a stag got from Pierre. Shelled corn for mill. * 12. Went to R. Coward's mill. Warren with me. Got a pair of shoes each from Mr. Moss for Edward and myself. * 13. Went in company with Pierre to Mr. Michel's. * 14. Alex and two children from Mr. Moss's came to board and school which I commenced this day with good prospects. * 15. White frost. Employed as yesterday. Beckey got 2 Ibs. cotton. 16. Cloudy and cold. Joseph LeDoux came to school. Employed as yesterday. * 17. Cloudy with rain at night. Melissa returned from Opelousas. * 18. Melissa and Alfred went home. 19. Fine cold day. Killed my barrow and sow. Hauled some wood. 20. White frost. Salted my meat. Looked for my hogs. Could not find them. 21. All the children at school as last week. 22. Very hard frost. Cut some wood in the evening. 23. Ditto. 24. Rain all day. Employed at school. Made an onion bed in the garden. 25. Cleared off cold. Planted a bed of onions. 26. The boys went to Pascall's boat and did not return until dark. Melissa and Alfred went home. 27. Got Pierre's cart anti brought up a barrel of molassas and 103 lbs. of sugar I got from Pascal. Found my young black sow with 4 pigs. * 29. Sam hauled me a load of wood. Children all at school. 30. Melia married today. 31. Rained all day. Only a few children at school. Went to Pierre's with my family for dinner and ball at night. Mr. Moss with me at night. FEBRUARY 1839 1.(Friday) Frost with little sleet. No school today. Got a shoat from Pierre weighing 71 lbs. @ 7 cents. * 2. Received a letter from my sister Lucy and Mr. Billair. Went with my family to Pierre's in the evening. 3. Cold pleasant day. Repaired cart wheels. Pierre's and Alcendore's children all here at play. 4. Cold rainy day. Mr. Moss's children did not come to school. S. Rain all day. Very few children at school. 6. A hard snow and sleet. Too cold to teach and no children came. 7. Rain and sleet. Trees covered with ice. A smart thaw. At home. No school. 8. Hauled wood home and to the school house. * 9. Fine day. Cut some wood. Lent Jack to Joseph LeDoux to go home. In the evening went to see Lezime to get him to go to look for my strayed Bayou Denn hogs. 10. Very fine day. Fed my black sow. Our potatoes finished. Ground some corn. * 11. White frost. Melissa, Alfred and Erastus came to school. Pierre sent me a quarter of meat he borrowed. Got a pair of shoes from Mr. Moss for Eliza. 12. A little frost. All the school children from here went to a ball at Alcendore's. 13. A light frost. None of the children came to school in the evening. Cut some wood. 14. Fine pleasant day. All the children came to school. Shelled corn to send to the mill. being three barrels out of eight I am to get from Alcendore. 15. A pleasant day. Moss's children went home. Sent Mr. M. demijean of molasses. * 16. Alex and Warren took my corn to Lezime Vincent's mill, it being so much out of repair they could not grind it all. 17. Cool pleasant day. At home all day. Could not get my horses. 18. Cool pleasant day. Burned off a part of the pasture. All the children came to school. 19. Cool and pleasant. Sent the last postage of my letter up by Alcendore. 20. Cloudy with a little rain. Cut some wood in the evening. 21. Warm and cloudy. Melia, his wife, and Pierre's children here at night. 22. Rain all day. No children at school but those from my house. 23. Mr. Moss came for the children. Too wet to work. * 24.Fine day. Alex'r. went up to Dr. Niblett's. At home all day. 25. A p1easant day. Lent Jack to Joseph to go home. The children at school. 26. Cut a little wood and at night shelled corn for mill. 27. A cold frost. Joseph returned from Sabine. Hauled some wood. 28. Fine day. Alcendore returned from the swamp, having lost a number of his cows from the hard wind. Shelled corn at night. MARCH 1839 1. (Friday) Dry fine day. Clouded up in the evening. Moss's children went home. Shelled some corn. 2. Eliza had a little spinning. Cut wood. 3. A very hard freeze and cold day. Alex hauled two loads of wood. 4. Another hard frost. All the children came to school today. 5. Very hard freeze. Alcendore went to the swamp. Cut wood in the evening. 6. Cloudy. Did several odd jobs in my leisure hours. 7. Some rain. Planted out a bed of onions and did other little jobs. * 8. Fine day. Cut some wood in the evening. Sophy here at night. 9. Very heavy dew. Alex'r took corn to Lezime Vincent's mill. Moss's children went home. Commenced writing a letter to my brother James. 10. Fine day. Finished my letter of this date. Warren went to Mr. Moss's. *11. All the children in school. Received $20 from Rob't. Johnson. 12. Cloudy and warm. Employed at school. Cut a little wood in the evening. 13. Received my new papers by Alcendore. Pascal started. *14. Cleared and cold. Alex'r. went to Dr. Neblett's. Cut a little wood in the evening. 15. Very fine day. Finished my week's employment. 16. Warm and pleasant. Went to the sale at Dr. Neblett's. Received a letter from my brother James with an order on the Bank for L 25 and received $50 from Dr. Neblett on account. Returned home in company with Mr. Ryan. 17. Cloudy and warm. Alex'r. returned. At home all day. 18. Children all came to school. Planted some pinders. 19. Some rain. Cut a little wood and hoed some in the evening. 20. Hoed some in the garden and other odd jobs. *21. Cloudy with a little rain. Mr. Johnson came here. *22. Cleared off cold. Mr. Johnson took Warren with him to Sabine. Ward came here and paid him $5. 00, still owing him 75 cents. 23. Wrote a letter to my brother, dating it the 24th. *24. Madam Mike took some of her things away out of the old house. Went to Alcendore's. Got two barrels of corn - in all, five. 25. All the children came to school. Dug some in the garden. *26. Somewhat cloudy. Alfred and Erastus ran away. Emily brought them back. 27. Sent my letter as far an Dr. Neblett's by Joseph. 28. Lent my horses to Alex'r and Joseph to go to Sabine. They started after dinner. Mr. Moss's children went home. APRIL 1839 1. Cloudy weather. Employed at usual occupation. 7. Last night it blew a gale. The hardest of it was from the N. E. Have not heard of much damage bring done. Went over to Pierre's. 8. - 11. Employed these days at school and doing several odd jobs at home. *13. Went to Bourgeois, in company with L. M. Ryan and Arty. Purchased several articles amounting, with my old accounts of 6/31. to $38. 87cents. Returned home in the evening. 14. - 16. Fine warm weather. ...........(not readable) 17. Warren returned from Texas. 18. - 19. Finished my week's occupation. *20. Very warm. Went in a ball at Michel's. Bought two brls. flour from Pascal @ $12. Paid him $25. 00. Sent $20 down to John Hampshire, by Mr. Cole. *21. Still warm. Mr. Ryan returned home with me. 22. Did not teach school today. Killed two year old gentle beef. Paid Alcendore 1/2 quarter. Let Pierre have 1/2 quarter. 23. - 26. Nothing of consequence occured these few days. 27. Butchery commenced by Mr. Michel. Took 1/2 a quarter. 28.Very fine weather. Got Spot up with a calf. Went to Mr. Ryan's. 29. Alex returned today from Sabine. Got $29 from ............. MAY 1839 1 - 2. Warm and dry. Occupied as usual. Hoed in my garden. 3. Still and warm. Mr. Moss's children went home. 4. Got a four year old beef from Pierre to kill in the butchery. Went to Pascal's. Paid him what I was owing on old account. 5. Continues dry and pleasant. At home all day. 6 - 10. Employed at school. Lost last Tuesday evening. Mr. Moss's children went home. Warren with them. *11. A little rain. Joe and Edward took Elizabeth and Mary Ann up to Mr. Ryan's. Mr. Ryan killed in the butchery. Went with Eliza to ball given by Mr. Michel. 12 Very warm. Did not return until evening. Eliza, in the morning. 13. Still dry and warm. The children came to school. 14. - 15. Some appearance of rain. Employed these two days as usual. *16. - 17. A little rain. Alfred and Austin went home 17th. 18. Some rain. Arty killed in the butchery. A ball here tonight. 19 - 21. At home. Not very well and los two days from school. 22. Alex quit school and went to Sabine. Warren with him. 23. Very warm. Pulled the onions in the garden. Warren returned. *24. Still warm. Mr. Moss's children went home. Alex and Belezare here from Sabine. 25. Went to Mr. Moss's for my butchery meat. *26. Spent a very dull day at home. Alex and Belezare started to Sabine. Pierre went with Mr. Bilbo to survey. 27. - 31. Attended school. John Hampshire here 31st. JUNE 1839 1. Went to Mr. Ryan's for my meat. Went to a ball at Alcendore's. 2. Cloudy. I returned home about noon to sleep. 3. Very hard rain and wind at night. Children came to school. 4. - 7. A hard wind and rain on 5th. Mr. Moss came for the children. Joe went to Sabine on Roulette. 8. Little drizzle. Mr. Moss killed in the butchery. Spinning at Alcendore's. *9. Wendesday, returned. Mr. Tally took dinner with us. Took a walk with Eliza over to Pierre's. They started on their first cow hunt. 10. - 14. Employed at school. A little rain in the interim. 15. Very warm day. Warren brought my meat from Mr. Moss's. Went to the sale at Pascal's. Got a barrel of flour and 59 lbs. of nails. 16. At home all day. Mr. Tally spent most of the day with me. 17. A little drizzle. Pierre put his cattle together. 18. - 19. At school. A fine rain the 19th. Tally started with his beeves. 20. A fine rain. Pierre had my meal brought from Lezime Vancon's. 21. No rain here. Mr. Moss's children went home. 22. No rain. Warren brought my meat from Prater's. Taken with a severe pain in my back while pulling up weeds. 23. Warm winds. Went over to Pierre's in the evening. 24. Still, warm day. Children went to school. Pierre went over to Shoepeak to brand. 25. Fine rain. Eliza planted beans in the garden. 26. Fine day. Employed at school. Hoed some in the garden. 27. Very warm. Mr. Moss came for the children. 29. A fine rain. Joe went to Prater's for my butchery meat. Wrote to my sister Lucy, dated 30th. Also, one to Reeves and Mary Ann. 30. Went to Mr. Moss's with Eliza. Warren gone to Sabine. JULY 1839 1 A very warm day. Alfred and Erastus came to school. 2. - 3. Continued dry. Only a few scholars it school. * 4. Fine rain this evening. Went to a dinner and ball at ...?.... Taught school in the forenoon. Received $20 from Mr. Johnson. Letter sent by Joe Bilbo. 5. - 7. At home. Pontal killed in the butchery. Joe brought my meat. 8. Rain most of forenoon. Mr. Moss's children . .?. . the evening. 9. - 10. Some rain. Employed at school and other jobs about home. 11. Rain. Took a ride to Mr. Ryan's in the evening. *12. The priest from Vermillion came to Pierre's to christen the children in the settlement. Had ours christened - five in number. *13. Some rain. Went to Buchanan's. Got my school accounts signed by Neeland. Returned home in company with Daniel Miller and Richard Gardner. 14. Rain most of the forenoon. Paid Pascal what I was owing him. Borrowed $30 from Melia for the purpose. 15. No rain. Alfred and Erastus came to school. Pascal started to Sabine. 16. - 17. Some rain. Went to get 6 barrels of corn from Mr. Moss, and 3 before. 18. Fine, pleasant day. Took some corn to mill. 19. Hard rain. Brought my meal home with two wheels. Went to Mr. Ryan's. Brought the wheels from there. Killed a small blue sow. 20. Rain. Eliza had a spinning. Shoepeak ladies at it. *21. Some rain. Went to Dr. Neblett's. Had to go as far as Allen Coward's to do so. Wrote a few lines to Robt. Sandeman, no. 19 old Leve (? ) with my signature to three blanks for him to draw Bill of Exchange for $25 and sent the same by Woods, Johnson Moss came up from his schooner - not very well. 22. No rain. Took my school accounts to Mr. Moss to be sent by Woods. Saw Johnson. 23. 25. No rain. Johnson's schooner came up. 26. A hard rain. None of Mr. Moss's children came to school this week. 27. Some rain. Went to Mr. Moss's for my meat; from thence with Joe to the school. Purchased several articles from Johnson amounting to $38. 28 - 1 /2. 28. No rain. Went up to get my coffee weighed. No stilyards. 29. Warm, dry day. Mr. Louis Kopp came to go to school. Pierson here at night. 30. - 31. A little rain. Attending to my school. AUGUST 1839 1. (Thursday) A very hard rain in the evening which prevented our attending school. 2. No rain. Joe went to Sabine and the children went home. 3. Fine day. Went to Mr. Moss's for my meat. Bourgeois gathering beeves. Let him have three of my gentle beeves. 4. Rain. At home all day. Woods sent my school accounts by Mr. Moss. Received nos. 423-3 of my papers. Missing nos. 429, 30, 31. 5. - 8. No rain. Alcendore had my coffee and lard brought home. 10. Very hard rain. .?. . returned from Bourgeois' where I went in company with Mr. Ryan, Joe and Pierson in Johnson's boat. 11. At home all day. Mr. Louis went to the river. 12. All the children came to school but James. 13. A little rain. Heard of Pascal's arrival from Sabine. 14. Sent my school accounts amounting to $ 56. 25 by Pascal for collection. 15. Some rain. Shelled corn for mill and sent it by Warren. 16. I went to Sabine. Children went home. Elizabeth and Mary Ann too. 17. Rain Mr. Louis Kopp went for my butchery meat killed by Arty. 18. Very hard rain. Spent most of the day with Eliza at Alcendore's. 19. Fine, pleasant day. All the children came to school. Jack got away. 20. Isaac brought my barrel of flour got from Johnson. 21. - 22. A little rain. Made some onion beds in the garden. Pascal started for New Orleans last Monday. . Sent my school accounts by him. 23. Friday and near the full of the moon. Sowed some onion seeds and planted a bed of onions and garlic. Rain in the evening. 24. Louis Kopp went for my meat killed by Mr. Moss. *25. Paul brought my barrel of flour got from Pascal. 26. - 27. The children came to school. Alfred cut his foot. 28. A hard rain. Went to Pierre's to engage a beef for the butchery. 29. A very fine day. Lewis and Pierson went to the river for a little sugar from Johnson - about 13-1 /2 lbs. I believe finished brand of calves. *30. Fine day. Pierre crossed Rutherford's cattle. Children went home. 31. Went to Dr. Neblett's. Had a settlement with him. Rec'd. $20.75 past receipts. Killed a cow in the butchery got from Pierre. Austin got four barrels of corn from Mr. Ryan. Paid ten dollars on account of what I was owing him. SEPTEMBER 1839 *1. (Sunday) Went to Mr. Ryan's. Got a barrel of corn which I shelled to be taken to Coward's mill. 2. Fine warm day. All the children came to school. Belezare here. 3. Dry and pleasant. Belezare started for Sabine. No water at the mill. *4. - 6. No rain these three days. Joe went to Sabine and the children went home. The Steamboat Rodney came up for wood. She is bound for Texas. 7. Still warm and dry. Killed a fat cow in the butchery got from Pierre. * 8. Threatening rain. Went in the prairie for Roulette. The steamboat started. Johnson Moss here at night. 9. A fine rain. All the children at schonl. 10. Fine pleasant day. Got my horses up. Attended school. 11. Cool anti pleasant. Wrote to my brother James, dated 12th. No school. * 12. Fine pleasant day. Joe took my letter to the Office. Got my paper No. 419. * 13. Still dry and pleasant. Valentine came for children. Edward sick. 14. Mr. Michel finished second round of butchery. Eliza went to a spinning at Pierre's. Louis and Pierson went to Shoepeak. 15. Very warm. At home all day. Louis determined to go in Bourgeois' schooner. 16. Still warm and dry. Mr. Moss's children did not come to school. No school in the evening. 17. Continues warm. Louis left. Sent his account to Johnson, $16 and $11, by him. 18. A little shower. Pierson left. Lent him my saddle begs. *19. Very warm. Fed my hogs in the woods. Jackson Black married. 20. Still very warm. Warren taken sick. Mr. Moss's children not at school this week. 21. Continued dry. Ryan commenced second round of the butchery to one share only. * 22.Went to Wood's. Bought a hat from him, $3. 00. Borrowed $30. 00 from Joe Hayes to pay Johnson. Returned home late. Saw old Mr. Alexander. * 23.Very warm. Did not teach school in the forenoon. Caldwell and Pierson here, Pierre collecting a drove for Ursan and Bourgeois. * 24. Still dry. Paid Johnson what I was owing him. Sent $5. by Ursan Guidry to Mr. Delony for subscription to the Great Northern. 25. A fine rain this evening. Ursan started with his drove. 26. Fine pleasant day. Employed at my usual occupation. 27. Emily came for Mr. Moss's children. 28. Very hard rain in the evening. Arty killed in the butchery. Joe went to Shoepeak in Alcendore's cart for some fodder, corn and pumpkins. 29. Got Mr. Ryan's cart to haul home my barrel of sugar got from Johnson. He over in Texas. Caldwell here. 30. Fine and pleasant. All the children at school except Erastus (sick). OCTOBER 1839 1. (Tuesday) A fine pleasant day. 2. The children gathered a few peas in Alcendore's field. 3. The children from home picking peas. 4. Joe went to Sabine on . . . . The children went home. 5. Mr. Moss killed in the butchery to 1 1/2 shares. John Lee and old Mr. Jos. Francois paid us a visit. 6. Johnson started. Fed my hogs in the woods. 7. Went before day for Mr. Ryan. Melissa and Alfred at school. 9 P. M. Eliza was delivered of a little boy. Aunt Sukey and Madam Vincent with her. Mrs. Ryan attended on her. A hard row most of the night. 8. Alfred and Warren went home, and Emily Moss came down. 9. Cloudy. Took a ride in company with Joe to Pierre Petit's. 10. - 12. Cleared off. Planted a few cabbage plants. James got 4 large bowls of coffee for Beckey. 13. Very fine day. Mr. Ryan here. Fed my hogs in the woods. 14. The children with the exception of Erastus came to school. 15. Mr. Moss drove his cattle down to the lake. 16. Still cool and pleasant. Cut some wood in the evening. 17. Mr. Moss did not start until today with his cattle. 18. Continues dry and pleasant. The children went home. 19. Very fine day. Mr. Moss killed in the butchery. Got a share of meat from him. Went to Buchanan's. Paid him the postage of my paper to 4th January next. * 20. Still dry. At home all day. Bond's beeves broke the penn last night. 21. - 25. A little rain yesterday. Employment at school all this week. * 26. - 27. Pleasant weather. Joe and Edward went to the race run by Austin vs. Andrew, won by the latter. 28. Clear and pleasant. Only Alfred came to school from Mr. Moss's. 29. Killed a beef in the butchery got from Edward. Paid Mr. Moss the meat I owed him. and lent Mr. Michel a share. 30 - 31. Some appearanc of rain. Fed my sows in the woods. NOVEMBER 1839 1. (Friday) A fine rain this morning. Joe went to Sabine on Roulette. Warren went with him. * 2. Cut a little wood. Got 25 lbs. nails from Melia. * 3. Very fine day. Went to Mr. Ryan's to a race run by Pierre and Tantone, won by the former. Joe returned. Pascal arrived from Sabine. * 4. Melissa and Alfred came to school. Jacob and wife here. * 5 Cool and pleasant. James Perkins paid me a visit. Pierre and his ....?.... 6. A little frost for the first this season. All the children at school. 7. Very cold. None but the children from home at school. 8. Still cold. Mr. Moss's children went home. Mr. Michel killed in butchery. 10. Fine day. Went to Mr. Michelin in company with Aunt Susan, Purchased a coat and some other articles from Pascal. 11. Cloudy. Went to Pierre Petit's with the expectation of getting corn. Got none in consequences of him refusing to let me have picked corn. Got 2 barrels from Francoise. 12. - 13. At home and did not teach these two days. 14. Very hard rain. Attended school as usual. 15. - 17. Weather variable and cold. Employed one day at school - 15th. 18. Warm today. Went to Mr. Ryan's to engage carts to haul my corn from the Big Woods. 19. - 20. Turned cold this morning. Went to William Bilbo's and stopped there all night. Engaged 50 or 60 bbls. of corn from him. On my return home, found Mr. Alex'r Ledoux at Pierre's. He paid me $20. Joe went out to Sabine with him. Francois Vincent brought me 15 barrels of fine potatoes. 21. - 22. Wet and cold. Did not teach school this week. 23. - 24. Cold but pleasant. Went to Wood's to look at a cart. It did not suit me. 25. The first hard freeze this winter. Melissa and Alfred came to school. 26. Very hard freeze. Covered my potatoes. No school. 27. Rain all day. There were only the children from home at school. 28. Cold rainy day. Alcendore and Joe at work at my fence, removing it. 29. Cloudy without rain. Mr. Moss's children went home. 30. Cleared off. A ball at my house. Let Francois have $11. DECEMBER 1839 1. (Sunday) Cold and pleasant. At home all day. 2. Fine pleasant day. Pierre killed a large bear. Taught school. Alcendore had four loads of wood hauled for me. Francois brought 5 bbls. more of potatoes. 3. A white frost. Mr. Moss's children all came to school. *4. Another frost. Mr. Moss had a load of corn hauled for me from William Bilbo's. Twenty barrels in the shock. Marked the old black sow's pigs - 7 in number. 5. Rain most of the day and very cold. Employed as usual. 6. Very hard rain before day. The old black sow lost 3 pigs. Children went home. 7. A white frost. In the evening fed my sows and pigs in the woods. 8. A white frost. Went to Mr. Ryan's with same tallow to be sent to William Bilbo. 9. A very hard frost. Alfred and Erastus came to school. *10. Some frost. Ward came here. Prien's daughter married to Joe Folk's son. Joe Ledoux went to the wedding. 11. Threatening rain. Lent Jack to Ward to look for his horse. Did not find him. l2. Cleared off with frost. Joe returned from the wedding. Ward went home. 13. Cloudy with south wind. Lent Beckey 3 bowls coffee. Children went home. 14. Rain last night. Wrote my sister Bess. Mr. Ryan dined with us. *15. Very hard frost. Fed my sows and pigs in the woods. Took a ride to Mr. Ryan's and Mr. Moss's. Mr. Moss started to Opelousas. Sent my letter by Peter to be given to Mr. Coward to be forwarded by the mail next Wednesday. 16. Some frost. Alfred and Erastus came to school. 17. Cloudy. Attended school. 18. Rain most of the day. *19. Cold. Melia and Tabby moved our old house. 20. Before day there was a severe rain and wind. Melia's house was blown down. The rain prevented my attending school. Children went home. 21. Fine all day. Looking for my black barrows all the forenoon. Lezime's boys daubed his house. 22. Hard frost. Went to the woods fed all sows and pigs. 23. Cloudy and wet. Went in company with Pierre, Ryan and Alcendore to the election. .....?.... and King candidates. I voted for the latter. From thence went with Mr. Ryan to Mr. Bilbo's. Treated well. Rec'd. a letter from Lucy. Got the first newspaper of the Great Western. dated Dec. 8th. Gave Mayor Coward one of the newspapers. 24. Cloudy but no rain. From Mr. Bilbo's went to Bourgeois'. Purchased a few articles and crossed there and returned home. I got an axe. *25. Frost. At home all day. Beckey and Sally here. Ball at William Lyons'. A more thankful man, none can be found than I am on this solemn day enjoying the society of my good wife and children and grateful to God he has extended his mercies to us all around and given me health in labor for the support of my little family, who this day has my wish for their continuance of their health and prosperity in thin uncertain world. 26. Some frost. Killed two turkeys. Took them to Pierre's with my family to partake of a dinner. 27. Frost. Fed my sow and pigs in the woods. Then went to Mr. Ryan's. 28. Another frost. Fed my sow and pigs. Melia's pigs not up. Worked a little in the garden. Planted out a bed of onions on the decline of the moon. 29. Frost. At home all day. Killed a turkey. Beckey here to partake. *30. Wet and disagreeable day. Went to Shoepeak. Gave my second school account to Mr. Woods to have it signed according to custom. Got $2 cost from Woods and . .?. . on Abel Lyons for $6. 00. Louis the peddler at Pierre's. Pascal arrived. 31. Cleared off cold. Found my 3 barrows. Brought my black sow with the pigs home. Blue sow missing. In the evening went to Mr. Michel's. Received my first year's account to public teaching. Could not get the money for it in consequence of its not having the Judge's seal and signature. FOOT NOTES JANUARY 1839 1. Mr. Alexander LeDoux - Alexander LeDoux lived on the Sabine River at a location very near present day Neblett's Bluff. Mr. LeDoux was buried in the Toomy Cemetery which was at one time known as Jacksonville and originally known as the LeDoux Cemetery near Toomy, Louisiana. Jackson Black - Believed to have been Andrew Jackson Black. 2. Pierre - Pierre Vincent, Jr.: b. 1795, d. April 29, 1852, m. Sarah "Sally" Celeste Ryan. He was the son of Pierre Vincent, Sr. and Catharine Galman. Alcendore - St. German "Alcendore" Elender: b. August 26, 1809, d. December 2, 1883, m. Rebecca Ryan, November 2, 1829. He was brother of George Elender and son of Michael Elender and Christine Trahan. 6. Pascal - Pascal Goins. Isaac - Isaac Vincent: b. February 1, 1824, son of Pierre Vincent, Jr. 7. Shoepeak - Ten miles west of Sulphur on Cameron road. Choupique Bayou. Choctow word meaning Bowfin or Mudfish. Joe LeDoux's - Son of Alexander LeDoux, b. ? d. July 21. 1871, m. Marcellen Vincent; she b. December 11, 1825, d. May 7, 1914. Warren Johnson - Believed to be the son of Robert Johnson. He m. Melisa Moss, dau. of Henry Mona and Ann Ryan. 8. Melia - Simeon "Melia" Vincent: b. March 3, 1820, d. May 27, 1880, m. June 29, 1839 to Tabitha Lyons. He was the son of Pierre Vincent, Jr. and Sarah "Sally" Ryan. 12. R. Coward - Richard Coward: m. (1) Eleanor Henderson, (2) Harriet Smith. He was the son of Hardy Coward, b. October 9, 1776, d. Aug. 16. 1844, and Elizabeth Bates, b. Feb. 7. 1787. d. Feb. 17, 1859. Mr. Moss - Henry Moss: b December 2, 1795, m. (1) 1815, Ann Ryan, (2) Margaret Jane Green Jones, died ?. He was the son of Nathaniel Moss and Joanna Johnson. 13. Mr. Michel's - Michel Pithon: (Pronounced Meshell Peton). Elected President of the first Police Jury of Calcasieu Parish on March 24, 1840. Soldier of the First Napoleon. D. 1871 at age 100 years. 14. Alex - Alexander LeDoux, Jr.: son of Alexander LeDoux who is believed to have operated a ferry on Sabine River near present day Niblett's Bluff. 15. Beckey - Rebecca Ryan: b. March 17, 1810, d. October 19, 1893, m. Alcentore Elender, November 2, 1899. She was the daughter of John Jacob Ryan, Sr. 16. Joseph - Joseph LeDoux: another son of Alexander LeDoux, Sr. 17. Melissa - Should be Melia - Simon "Melia" Vincent. 18. Melissa - Meissa Moss: daughter of Henry Moss and Ann Ryan, m. Warren Johnson. Alfred - Alfred Moss: b. Sept 14, 1829, d. April 11, 1913, m. Mary Anne West. He was the son of Henry and Ann (Ryan) Moss. 19. Sam - Possibly Sam Cashaw. FEBRUARY 1839 2. Lucy and Mr. Billair - 9. Jack - Horse belonging to Rigmaiden. Lezime - Ozemine "Lezime" Vincent: son of Pierre and Catherine Galman, b. May 22, 1807, m. Marguerite Bertrand, August 7, 1826. 11. Erastus - Erastus Moss: b. Jan 8, 1831, m. Nov 30 1851 to Sarah Elmira Booth, son of Henry and Ann (Ryan) Moss. Eliza - Eliza (Ryan) Rigmaiden: b. ca 1806, m. October, 30 1826 to Thomas Rigmaiden, d. August 31, 1871. She was the daughter of John Jacob Ryan, Sr. and Mary Ann Hargrave. 16. Warren - Warren Johnson 24. Dr. Neblett's - Dr. Robert Caldwell Neblett: b. October 28, 1795, Roanoke, Virginia, d. December 22, 1871, in Grimes County, Texas, m. Maria Ann Powe, in Wayne County, Mississippi. MARCH 1839 8. Sophy - Believed to be slave owned by John Jacob Ryan, Jr. 11. Robert Johnson - Believed to be the father of Warren and ..?.. Johnson. 14. Alex'r - Alexander LeDoux, Jr. 21. Mr. Johnson - Believed to be Robert Johnson. 22. Ward - Sylvester Ward: b. 1808, d. after 1850, wife Caroline, b. 1809. 24. Madam Mike - Possibly Mrs. Michel Elender, mother of George Elender. 26. Emily - Emily Elender: b. December 15, 1829, daughter of George and Melissa (Ryan) Elender. APRIL 1839 13. Bourgeois - Believed to be Adolph I. D. Bourgeois. Arty - Artemise "Arty" Ryan: b. 1804, d. 1865, m. Louis Reon, September 30, 1823, daughter of John Jacob Ryan, Sr. and Mary Ann Hargrave. 20. John Hampshire - John Hampshire: b. 1795, d. after 1840, m. Nancy White, June 8, 1824. Mr. Cole - Believed to be Absalom Cole, b. 1788 (Miss.) Son of James Cole. 21. Mr Ryan - John Jacob Ryan, Sr. B. 1768-72, Pensacola, Fla. d. September 7, 1846. Son of Daniel Ryan and Marguerite Barclay, m. Mary Ann Hargrave (Hargrove). MAY 1839 11. Elizabeth - Elizabeth Rigmaiden: b. July 15, 1830, d. August 12, 1853, m. Eugene Vincent, daughter of Thomas Rigmaiden. Mary Ann - Mary Ann Rigmaiden: b. May 18, 1832, d. after 1880, m. Adolphe Escoubas, on November 3, 1846. She was the daughter of Thomas Rigmaiden. 16. Austin - Austin Clifton: b. 1821, d. after 1880, m. Mercelite Vincent b. April 11, 1829, d. May 23, 1868. He was son of Nathanial Clifton and Susanne Ryan. She was b. January 18, 1799, d. August 18, 1865. Austin was named for his grandfather. 24. Belezare - Belezare LeDoux: son of Alexander LeDoux, Sr. B. 1826, m. Varney __?__ 26. Mr. Bilbo - Thomas Bilbo: b. June 20, 1776, d. September 20, 1846 m. Anna Marie Lawrence, July 12, 1804, son of James Bilbo of Mecklenburg County Virginia. JUNE 1839 9. Mr. Tally - John Tally 22. Prater's - William Prather: b. September 28, 1804, d. September 23, 1877, m. August 27, 1822 to Francis "Fanny" Lyons b. September 28, 1804,d. September 23, 1877 d/o Michael Lyons and Mary "Polly" Hayes. JULY 1839 4. Joe Bilbo - Joseph Lawrence Bilbo: b. March 12, 1812 in Mississippi Territory d. after 1880, m. April 12, 1858 to Elmira Hodges. He was son of Thomas and Anna (Lawrence) Bilbo. 5 - 7. Pontal - Joseph Pontellien Landry: m. Susan Ryan 12. Settlement - Vincent's Settlement 13. Buchanan's - James H. Buchanan: He purchased a ferry and surrounding land from Rees Perkins. The ferry was located on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River on what is now South Perkins Ferry Road in Moss Bluff, Louisiana. Neeland - Believed to be H. L. Neyland. Daniel Miller - Richard Gardner - 21. Allen Coward - Allen Coward: b. 27 Jul 1808, South Carolina, d. 05 Aug 1891 son of Hardy Coward and Elizabeth Bates, m. 21 Dec 1829 Margaret Perkins, b. 10 Jun 1805 Amite Co. Mississippi, d. 18 Oct 1895 daughter of Rees Perkins and Martha Morgan. Robt. Sandeman - Robert Sandeman: No 9 Old Leve. Old Leve was a street in New Orleans. Woods - James B. Woods: Acting Clerk, Police Jury, 1840, which met in the home of Arsene LeBleu. Johnson Moss - Johnson Moss: b. 1816, d. May 9, 1860, m. 16 Feb 1841(1) Martha Lyons, b. 10 Jun 1824, d. 14 Mar 1853 daughter of Michael Lyons and Mary "Polly" Hayes. Johnson was the son of Henry Moss and Ann Ryan. First sheriff of Calcasieu, Louisiana. 29. Louis Kopp - Possibly Louis Croppes. Pierson - AUGUST 1839 25. Paul - Paul LeDoux: believed to be the son of Alexander LeDoux. 30. Rutherford's - SEPTEMBER 1839 1. Coward's Mill - Richard Coward's Mill. See Jan. 12, 1839 4. Steamboat Rodney - Notice in the Houston Weekly Times, April 9, 1840 stated that the Steamboat Rodney, Master, H. Ferguson, was making trips between Galveston and Houston. 8. Roulette - Horse belonging to Thomas Rigmaiden 12. Joe - Joseph LeDoux. 13. Valentine - Joseph Valentine Moss: b. September 13, 1825, d. Decmeber 16, 1901, m. (1) March 13, 1845 Jane Coward b. December 16, 1827, d. prob bef. 1856. She was the daughter of Richard A. Coward and Eleanor Henderson. He m. (2) April 17, 1856 Amelia Cormier, b. ?, d. April 1, 1874. He was the son of Henry and Ann (Ryan) Moss. 19. Jackson Black - Andrew Jackson Black married ...... 22. Wood's - Jonathan Wood: m. Charlotte Hayes, February 22, 1814. Sons James and Michael. Joe Hayes - Believed to be Joseph Leonard Hayes who was m. to Fannie Robertson, daughter of Gabriel Robertson and Elizabeth Hayes. He was the son of William Hayes and Elizabeth McClelland. 23. Caldwell - 24. Ursan Guidry - Known to live in Jefferson County, Texas, in the area which is now a part of Hardin County. Mr. Delony - OCTOBER 1839 5. John Lee - Believed to have married a Racheal. She was b. about 1800. He died prior to 1850 leaving 5 children, the oldest named Mark Lee, b. 1825. Jos. Francois - Believed to be Francois Vincent (lived and died in the Bayou d'Indre area, Calcasieu Parish) m. Sylvia Trahan. He was the son of Pierre Vincent, Sr. and Catherine Galman. 7. Aunt Sukey - Susan Ryan: b. January 18, 1799 m. (1) Nathaniel Clifton (2) Pontal Landry, d. August 18, 1865. (Aunt Sukey used by Rigmaiden and other settlement children. ) She was the daughter of John Jacob Ryan and Mary Ann Hargrove. Madam Vincent - Sarah (Sally) Celeste Ryan: m. Pierre Vincent, Jr. She was the daughter of John Jacob Ryan. Mrs. Ryan - Mary Ann Hargrove Ryan: b. ? D. October 16, 1848, wife of John Jacob Ryan, Sr. She was the daughter of Benjamin Hargrove and Rebecca Gualtney of Virginial 9. Pierre Petit's - 20. Bond's - Solomon Bond: b. February 1, 1791, South Carolina, d. after 1860, m. (1) Lydia Ann Knowland, (2) Sarah Ann Woodland, (3) Eliza __?__. Solomon is believed to be the brother of Preston Bonds who was born in Georgia. 26. Austin - Austin Clifton: b. 1821, d. after 1880, m. Mercelite Vincent. NOVEMBER 1839 2. Melia - Simeon "Melia" Vincent: b. March 3, 1820, d. May 27, 1888 m. to Tabitha Lyons on June 29, 1829. She was the daughter of William Lyons and Hetty Hayes and was b. October 1, 1820, d. January 14, 1897. He was the son of Pierre Vincent and Sarah Ryan. 3. Tantone - 4. Jacob and wife - Jacob Ryan, Jr.: b. February 14, 1816, d. December 17, 1899, m. (1) January 2, 1834 to Rebecca Gaines Bilbo, (2) Emma Platz Munn. He was the son of John Jacob Ryan, Sr. and Mary Ann Hargrove. He lived in Big Woods. 5. James Perkins - James Perkins: b. June 11, 1801, d. December 13, 1867, m. Catherine Henderson on February 23, 1826. He was the son of Rees Perkins and Martha Morgan. DECEMBER 1839 4. William Bilbo - William Lawrence Bilbo: b. March 25, 1814, d. before 1880, m. Hulda Cole on August 25, 1839. She was b. 1818 and d. after 1880. He was the son of Thomas Bilbo and Ann Lawrence. 10. Ward - Believed to be Sylvester Ward, b. 1808, d. after 1850. Wife Caroline, b. 1809. Prien's - Cyprian Duhon: for whom Prien Lake was named. Joe Folk's son - Cormellian Farque, son of Joe Forque, married Azelie Duhon. 15. Peter - Mr. Coward - Hardy Coward: b. October 10, 1776, d. August 16, 1844, m. Elizabeth Bates before 1804 in prob. in Amite Co Mississippi. He was the son of Needham Coward and possibly Phebe. Elizabeth was the daughter of Richard Bates and Jane Weathersbee and was b. February 7, 1787, d. February 17, 1859. 19. Tabby - Tabitha Lyons. 25. Sally - Sarah "Sally" Celeste (Ryan) Vincent: b. March 8, 1801, d. after 1860, m. October 16, 1815 to Pierre Vincent, Jr. She was the daughter of John Jacob Ryan, Sr. and Mary Ann Hargrave. William Lyons' - William Lyons: b. 1797, d. December 15, 1853. He was the son of John Lyons and Nancy Ann Ahart. He m. (1) Hetty Hayes, daughter of Bosman Hayes and Jane Foreman and was b. abt 1796 and d. before 1829. They were married April 11, 1816 in the Opelousas Court House. He m. (2) Tabitha Harmon, daughter of Jacob Harmon and Elizabeth Andrus. They married on September 22, 1829. He m. abt. 1835 (3) Elizabeth Cole b. 1810. 30. Able Lyons - Abel Lyons: b. August 10, 1806, d. August 30, 1868. He m. (1) __?__ Merriman, (2) Mary Ann Druzilla on February 13, 1827. She was b. in 1809 and d. October 15, 1827. (3) Mary Ann Bryan on July 19, 1829. She was b. 1816, d. June 3, 1882 and was the daughter of Luke Bryan and Rebecca Berwick. Abel was the son of Michael Lyons and Mary Hayes. Louis the Peddler - NOTE: The tender sentiments expressed on Christmas Day of 1839 are in marked contrast to Rigmaiden's previous entries for December 25th where he made little or no mention of the holiday.